Small businesses are constantly seeking innovative ways to connect with their audience and stand out from the competition. One powerful tool that’s gaining traction is LinkedIn video sessions. These interactive, real-time video events allow businesses to directly engage with their followers, answer questions, and showcase their expertise.
In this guide, we’ll explore how small businesses can use LinkedIn video sessions to build stronger relationships with their audience and drive growth.
What are LinkedIn Video Sessions?
LinkedIn video sessions are live, interactive video events hosted on the LinkedIn platform. They provide a unique opportunity for businesses to connect with their audience in real-time, answer questions and share valuable insights. These sessions typically follow a format where the host (usually a representative from the business) presents a topic or opens the floor for questions, and participants can engage by submitting questions or comments through the platform’s chat feature.
These sessions can cover a wide range of topics, from industry trends and best practices to product demonstrations and expert advice. The key feature is the real-time interaction, allowing for dynamic, engaging conversations that can help build trust and credibility with your audience.
How to Set Up LinkedIn Live Video Sessions
Setting up a LinkedIn live video session is relatively straightforward. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
Plan your content
Decide on a topic or theme for your session. This could be based on frequently asked questions from your customers, current industry trends, or a specific aspect of your business you want to highlight.
Choose your host
Select a knowledgeable representative from your company to lead the session. This could be a founder, CEO, subject matter expert, or anyone who can confidently speak about the chosen topic.
Schedule the event
Use LinkedIn’s event creation feature to set up your live video session. Choose a date and time that’s likely to work well for your target audience.
Promote your event
Share the event details on your LinkedIn company page and encourage your employees to share it with their networks. You can also promote it through other marketing channels like email or your website.
Prepare your technology
Ensure you have a reliable internet connection and a good-quality camera and microphone. Test your setup before the event to avoid technical issues.
Go live
When it’s time for your event, use LinkedIn Live to start your video stream. Introduce yourself and the topic, then begin engaging with your audience.
Follow up
After the session, thank participants for attending and consider sharing a recap or highlights on your LinkedIn page.
How to Improve LinkedIn Video Sessions
Practice makes perfect and the more live LinkedIn sessions you host the better they will be. Scheduling regular sessions can help build an engaged audience so consider hosting monthly or bi-weekly sessions. Have talking points ready, but be prepared to adapt based on the questions and interests of your audience and actively invite questions and comments throughout the session.
Use interesting visuals to help maintain interest, and incorporate slides, product demonstrations, or screen sharing when relevant to enhance explanations. Maintain a friendly, approachable tone to make participants feel comfortable asking questions and strike a balance between providing thorough answers and keeping the session moving to cover multiple questions. If you run out of time, consider addressing the remaining questions in a follow-up post or your next session.
Things to Consider
Before starting your live LinkedIn streaming session, make sure you are positioned for success and consider the following:
- Audience demographics -Tailor your content and scheduling to suit your target audience’s preferences and availability.
- Topic relevance – Choose topics that are timely and valuable to your audience to maximize engagement.
- Technical limitations -Be aware of any platform restrictions or requirements for hosting live video sessions on LinkedIn.
- Privacy and confidentiality – Be cautious about sharing sensitive information during public sessions.
- Moderation – Have a plan in place for managing inappropriate comments or questions during the live session.
- Session length – Aim for a duration that balances depth of content with audience attention spans, typically 30-60 minutes.
- Branding – Ensure your video background and any visual aids align with your brand identity.
- Legal considerations – Be mindful of making any claims or statements that could have legal implications for your business.
Benefits of LinkedIn Live Video Sessions
LinkedIn video marketing helps you to expand your reach and grow your followers. Regular live-streaming sessions position your business as an industry expert and go-to resource for information.
Real-time interaction allows for immediate feedback and connection with your audience and showing the faces behind your brand and directly addressing audience questions helps build trust and credibility.
Video marketing on LinkedIn can be repurposed into various content pieces, such as blog posts, social media snippets, or podcast episodes to maximize reach and re-use content multiple times across different formats.
Questions from your audience can provide valuable insights into their needs, pain points, and interests and engaged participants may be more likely to convert into customers or clients. Offering regular LinkedIn video sessions can set you apart from competitors who may not be as accessible or transparent.
How LinkedIn Live Video Can Improve Customer Relationships
Video sessions humanize your brand, allowing customers to see and interact with the people behind the business, creating a personal connection. They can open up a direct line of communication with your audience, fostering a sense of community.
Addressing questions openly demonstrates your commitment to transparency and customer satisfaction and addressing common questions or concerns can preemptively solve problems for current and potential customers.
Live sessions provide a platform for gathering real-time feedback on your products, services, or industry trends. Consistently providing value through these sessions can enhance customer loyalty and retention. Addressing individual questions allows for personalized interactions that can strengthen customer relationships. LinkedIn video sessions can serve as informal training sessions, helping customers better understand and use your products or services.
LinkedIn live video streaming is a powerful tool for small businesses looking to engage and expand their audience. Real-time communications help build trust, showcase expertise, and nurture relationships. The benefits of implementing regular live sessions extend beyond audience engagement, they can be a valuable source of market insights, content creation, and brand differentiation. The personal connection established through these video interactions can significantly enhance customer relationships, leading to increased loyalty and potential business growth.
Final Words
As with any marketing strategy, success with LinkedIn live video sessions requires planning, consistency, and a willingness to adapt based on audience feedback. By following the tips and considerations outlined in this guide, small businesses can effectively leverage this tool to create a more engaged and loyal customer base. The ability to connect personally with your audience is more valuable than ever and LinkedIn video sessions provide an excellent opportunity to do just that, allowing small businesses to stand out in a crowded marketplace and build lasting relationships with their customers.
Using this interactive format, small businesses can not only stay relevant but also position themselves as approachable, knowledgeable leaders in their field. As you start your journey with LinkedIn video sessions, remember that authenticity and value are key. Your audience will appreciate the effort to connect, and over time, these sessions can become the foundation of your customer engagement strategy.
